Hope is an important catalyst to the therapy process that can help therapy work and work more effectively. While the value of hope is more easily recognized, hopelessness can have a valuable place as well. Most people experience periods of hopelessness, particularly as connected to certain aspects of life. For example, one may feel hopeless…

There is good reason to be worried about political stress these days. For many, stress emerging from political discourse is significantly impacting their psychological and even physical well-being. This can be true whether one is a passive consumer (i.e., watching and listening to the political discourse) or actively engaging in political discourse. This, too, is…

Diagnosis is a controversial and often misunderstood topic in mental health. My recent blog for GoodTherapy.org explores some of the issues that individuals seeking therapy should consider when thinking about diagnosis. Read the full blog here.

Long before therapy was created, people used the arts, including poetry, as a way to try to work through difficult times in their life. In my years as a therapist, I often have been surprised by how many clients write poetry, or have written poetry in the past but fallen away from the practice. Although…

One of the growing mental health risks for many people in contemporary society is working too much. As a therapist, I have witnessed this with many clients. I have also witnessed this with many friends and family members. It is not any easy issue. Most people want to be successful and do well at their…

Many clients (and therapists!) are surprised by what makes therapy work. Although there is debate and different opinions, when the research is examined in context there are two broad factors that account for most of the change that occurs in therapy: 1) Client Factors and 2) The Therapy Relationship. Let’s take a brief look at…

Therapy can be mysterious and confusing, especially if you have never been in therapy before. This makes sense. Clients often have questions about how to make the best use of therapy. This, too, makes sense. You are investing your time and money with the hopes of therapy improving your life. It is important to be informed and…